Bridgewater State University to host opioid symposium

Tuesday

May 30, 2017 at 5:29 PMMay 30, 2017 at 5:29 PM

Bridgewater State University and its athletic training faculty will host a symposium devoted to issues surrounding the opioid epidemic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 22 in Burnell Hall, Room 132A and the Moakley Atrium, 100 Burrill Ave., Bridgewater.

The event will include a session dedicated to opioid awareness and Narcan training, while another session will be devoted to facilitating the collaborative efforts of emergency service workers and athletic trainers while helping victims of overdose.

The creation of the event came at the direction of President Frederick W. Clark Jr. He got College of Education and Allied Studies Dean Lisa Battaglino onboard, who reached out to athletic training faculty. Professor Kimberly Wise picked up the gauntlet.

“After speaking with Dr. Dan Muse I saw a connection between doctors, EMTs, police and athletic trainers and the type of training they all need,” Wise said. “Evidence-based practice or training in the areas of opioid addiction and overdose protocol is desperately needed.”

BSU has hosted panel discussions on addiction and opioids in the past. Mary Waldron, director of BSU’s Institute for Policy Analysis and Regional Engagement, said many organizations around the region are interested in the topic. “They’re looking to BSU to lead the way,” Waldron said. The symposium may be a first step toward other certificate programs being offered at BSU in the area of opioid prevention and addiction. This event will not only examine the topic of addiction, but will also look at interventions to help those in need, and will demonstrate how to treat someone who is overdosing. At mid-day, a mock overdose will be staged, allowing participants to witness how medical professionals deal with such a crisis.

Those attending the event will receive a professional development certificate and a sample of Narcan.

The event is free for emergency workers and select BSU athletic training students. For information: http://bsu.ticketleap.com/bsu-atp-symposium.